Packing apparatus



1934- D. w. WADSWORTH ET AL 1,942,460

PACKING APPARATUS Filed No v. 21, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet l //V VE/VTOR 7m g200421/0/777 B Y 1 [4/77 6C 0 WW 1934- D. w. WADSWORTH El AL 1,942,460

' PACKING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 21, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ,4 TTO/FNEVS1934. D. w. WADSWORTH El AL PACKING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 21, 1932 4Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR z Mil/aa'a/zfwr/h rec 0 -9 W 4% view V3 Jan. 9,1934. 0-, w. WADSWORTH El AL 1,942,460

PACK I NG APPARATUS Filed Nov. 21, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 A TYORNE VSPatented Jan. 9, 1934 PATENT OFFICE PACKING APPARATUS Dwight W.Wadsworth and William A. Breckon, Fennville, Mich.

Application November 21, 1932 Serial No. 643,698

30 Claims.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide an improved packing apparatus or device for thepacking of fruits, vegetables and the like which greatly expedites andlessens the labor as compared with apparatus heretofore used.

Second, to provide an apparatus for use in the packing of fruits,vegetables and the like by means of which the packing with a uniformlyarranged top layer is greatly facilitated.

Third, to provide an apparatus of this character which may be employedwith little likelihood of injuring the product which is beingpacked.

Objects relating to details and economies of our invention will appearfrom the description to follow. The invention is defined and pointed outin the claims.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of our invention isillustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of our improved packing apparatus inoperative relation to a receptacle or basket of the straight side flatbottom type, the apparatus being in the position after the packingoperation is completed.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the parts as shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section on a line corresponding to the broken line3-3 of Fig. 2, the contents of the packing product being conventionallyindicated by dotted lines.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical view illustrating certain steps of thepacking operation.

Fig. 5 is a detail fragmentary sectional view corresponding to that ofFig. 4 illustrating another step.

Fig. 5A is a fragmentary section corresponding to that of Fig. 5illustrating a step in the manipulation of the apparatus succeeding thatshown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view illustrating stillfurther steps in the manipulation of the apparatus, the section beingtaken on a line corresponding to line 66 of Figs. 2 and '7.

Fig. '7 is an enlarged detail section on line 7-7 of 6.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail section on line 88 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 9 is a perspective View of one of the removable segmental wallmembers.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged inverted perspective view of the facing traybottom member.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary view in section on line 1 11 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged detail section on a line corresponding to line1212 of Figs. 6 and 13 showing details of one of the handles.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged detail section on a line corresponding to line13-13 of Figs. 6 and 12.

Fig. 14 is a detail section on a line corresponding to line 14-14 ofFig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary view illustrating the arrangement of the facingband or liner in the apparatus.

Fig. 16 is an enlarged detail section on a line corresponding to line1616 of Fig. 2.

In the accompanying drawings, 1 represents a basket of the straight sidefiat bottom type which is a type now in extensive use. While we haveshown our apparatus in connection with this type of basket, it isadapted for use without change in the standard type of round bottombushel basket. 2 represents fruit or other product to be packed infilling the basket.

Our apparatus, in the embodiment illustrated, comprises an annular frame3 having an inwardly projecting flange 4, the upper edge 5 of the framebeing preferably tapered. This annular frame member is tapered upwardly.The concavoconvex bottom plate 6 loosely fits or is floatingly mountedwithin this frame and is adapted to rest on the flange 4 thereof.

The bottom plate is provided with angled clips 7 which overhang theflange, serving as stops or supports for the bottom when the apparatusis in inverted position. The bottom plate has a centrol opening 8adapted to receive the disk 9 secured centrally to the flexiblediaphragm 10.

This diaphragm 10 has a reinforcing beading 11 at its edge and issecured to the periphery of the bottom plate 6 by means of U-shapedclips 12. This diaphragm is adapted to rest upon and be supported by thebottom 6 as is shown in Figs. 4 and 5A, for example, or it may beadjusted to the position shown in Fig. 5 to receive and facilitate thearrangement of the facing layer. The diaphragm plate is provided with arabbeted or shouldered edge 13 adapted to rest in the rabbeted orshouldered edge of the opening in 1 the diaphragm plate is shifted fromits raised to its lowered position the pivot for the links to the lug 17passes through a plane of the supporting lugs for the outer ends of thelinks so that the links act as a toggle for holding the diaphragm inboth collapsed and erected position. A flexible finger piece or strap 21is provided for manipulating the diaphragm.

As a preliminary step to arranging the facing layer, the diaphragm ispulled to its upper or crown position, as illustrated in Fig. 5, Thefacing layer and retainer may then be quickly and easily arrangedbeginning at the outside and working inwardly. When the facing layer hasbeen placed, the diaphragm is pushed down to the position shown in Figs.4 and 5A.

In the accompanying drawings, we illustrate the employment of a facingband or liner 22 which is usually of heavy paper and provided with aninturned notched edge, as shown in Fig. 15. To assist in holding thisband in position, the frame is provided with a plurality of springfingers or holders 23 which are secured at their lower ends adjacent thelower ends of the frame and proiect through openings 24 providedtherefor in the flange i, (see Fig. 12).

As stated, the bottom is floatingly mounted on the annular frame,adjustable stops 25 being provided, however, to limit its movement. Bymeans of the adjustment of these stops, the extent of the projection ofthe facing layer from the receptacle can be considerably varied which isa desirable feature to different types of covers and the appearancedesired in the package or receptacle. The frame is provided withoppositely projecting ears 26 to which the handles 2'7 are pivoted at23.

The handles 27 are, in the embodiment, illustrated, U-shaped, theknob-like hand pieces 29 being secured to the outer side thereof, andbeing conveniently grasped for lifting and allowing the turning of theapparatus through the action of gravity to an upright position as willbe pointed out later.

The side Walls 30 are segmental and complementary and detachably securedto the frame, the walls having notched lugs 31 positioned to lie at thesides of the cars 26 when the walls are assembled on the frame. Thehandles are provided with keepers or latches 32 pivotally connected tothe handles at 33 and carrying pins 34 engageable with the notches inthe lugs or keepers 31, the movement of these latches being controlledby the pins engagement with the slots 35 in the handle ears so that withthe side walls in assembled position relative to the frame, the handlesmay be swung inwardly to engage the latches thereof with these keepers,thereby looking the side wall members to the frame.

The bottom 6 is provided with toothed keepers 36 which project throughslots 37 in the frame and between the side walls to be engaged by thehandles 38 of the basket or receptacle 1.

.As the handles carry the entire load in reversing the apparatus afterthe packing has been completed, a cross or tie rod 39 is provided forthe frame in alignment with the handles.

Having described the structure, we will now describe the manner ofusing. Assuming that the side walls are detached, the apparatus isplaced in the position shown in Fig. 5 and the facing diaphragm pulledup to the position there shown by grasping the strap 21. The facing band22 may be positioned in supporting engagement with the fingers 23 eitherbefore or after the adjustment of the facing diaphragm. The

facing layer is then arranged with the diaphragm in its crown position,as shown in Fig. 5, and the diaphragm may be pushed downward- 1y to theposition shown in Fig. 5A which serves to firmly hold this facing layerin position, the upper edge of the frame preferably projecting slightlybelow the center line of the outer layer of fruit or other product beingpacked. The side wall members are then put in position and the handlesswung inwardly to lock them in position. The side walls form areceptacle which is then filled. The receptacle to be packed is thenslipped over this packing receptacle and the handles 35 thereof engagedwith the teeth of the keepers 36, there being a series of these teeth sothat a ratchet action is had as the receptacle 1 is pushed down over thepacking receptacle. With the basket or receptacle to be packed thuslocked to the filling packing receptacle, the whole is lifted as a unitby grasping the handles and, owing to the position of the handles,gravity acts to reverse the apparatus. The handles are then swungoutwardly to release the side wall members and they are pulled out,being provided with grips or hand pieces so for convenient manipulation.It will be noted that these side wall members are pulled out at an anglecorresponding to the angle of the walls of the receptacle so that thecontents are not likely to be injured or bruised by this step. Thehandles of the packed receptacle are then disengaged from the keepers 35and the apparatus can be lifted off.

Our improved apparatus greatly expedites and V lessens the labor inpacking fruit and vegetables and enables the rapid placing of the facingwhich is very securely held during the packing operation so that it isnot likely displaced and when the apparatus is removed from the packedreceptacle the cover may be placed without re-arranging any of thefacing.

We have illustrated and described our improvements in an embodimentwhich we have found highly satisfactory. We have not attempted toillustrate or describe certain embodiments and adaptations which wecontemplate as we believe that this disclosure will enable those skilledin the art to embody or adapt our improvements as may be desired.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a packing device, the combination of an annular frame having aninwardly projecting flange and opposed ears having segmental slotstherein, said frame also having slots aligned with said ears, a concavedbottom fioatingly mounted above said flange and having toothedreceptacle handle keepers projecting through said slots in said ears ofsaid frame when the wall members said segmental slots in said earswhereby they are'gui'ded to wall lug engaging position; 1

"'2. In'a packing device, the combination of an annular frame havingopposed ears having segmental slots therein, said frame alsoh'avingslots aligned with said ears, a concaved bottom floatingly mountedonsaid frame and having toothed receptacle handle keepers projectingthrough said slots in said frame, a facing diaphragm secured at" itsperiphery to s'aidbotiom, a' means acting to hold said diaphragm incrowned positionor in its collapsed position on" said bottom, removablesegmental wall members having notched lugs positioned at the sides ofsaid ears of said frame when the wall members are in assembled relationto the frame," handles pivotally mounted on said ears, and latchespivotally mounted on said handles and provided with pins adaptedtoengagesaid lugs on said wall members,'said latch pinsbein'g disposed withinsaid segmental slots in said ears wherebythey are guided to wall lugengaging position.

3 In a packing device, the combination of an annular frame havingopposed ears having segmental slots therein, said frame also havingslots aligned with said ears, a concaved bottom floatingly mounted onsaidframe and having'toothed receptacle handle keepers'projectingthrough said slots in'said frame, a'facing diaphragm'secured at itsperiphery to said bottom, a means acting to hold said diaphragm incrowned position or in its collapsed position on said bottom, removablesegmental wall members having notched lugs positioned at the sides ofsaid ears of said frame when the wall members are in assembled relationto the frame, handles pivotally mounted on said ears, latches pivotallymounted on said handles and provided with'pins adapted to engage saidlugs on said wall members, said latch pins being disposed within saidsegmentalslots in said ears whereby they are guided to wall lug engagingposition, and spring liner holder fingers mounted on said frame toproject upwardly on the inner side thereof.

4. In a packing device, the combination of an annular frame having aninwardly projecting flange and opposed ears having segmental slotstherein, said frame also having slots aligned with said cars, a concavedbottom floatingly mounted above said flange and having toothedreceptacle handle keepers projecting through said slots in said frame,said bottom having lugs spaced therefrom and projecting below saidflange for limiting the floating movement of the bottom relative to theframe, adjustable rests for said bottom, removable segmental wallmembers having notched lugs positioned atthe sides of said ears of saidframe when the wall members are in as-' sembled relation to the frame,handles pivotally mounted on said ears, and latches pivotally mounted onsaid handles and provided with pins adapted to engage said lugs on saidwall members, said" latch pins being disposed within said segmentalslots in said ears whereby they are guided to wall lug engagingposition.

5. In a packing device, the combination of an annular frame havingopposed ears having segmental slots therein, said frame also havingslots aligned with said ears, a concaved bottom floatingly mounted onsaid frame and having toothed receptacle handle keepers projectingthrough said slots in said frame, removable segmental wall. membershaving notched lugs positioned at the sidesof'saidearsof said frame whenthe wall members are in assembled relation to the frame,

handles pivotally mounted on said ears, and latches? pivotally mountedon said handles and provided'with pins adapted to engage said lugs onsaid wall members, said latch pins being disposed'within said segmentalslots in saidears whereby they are guided to wall lug engaging position.

'6. In a packing device, the combination of an annular frame havingopposed ears having segmental slots therein, said frame also havingslots aligned with said ears, a concaved bottom "floatingly mounted onsaid frame and having toothed receptacle handle keepers projectingthrough said slots in said frame, removable segmental wall membershaving notched lugs positioned at the sides of saidrears of said framewhen, the Wall members are in assembled relation to the frame, handles,pivotally mounted on said ears, latches pivotally'mounted on saidhandles and provided with pins adapted to engage said lugs on said wallmembers, said latch pins being disposed within said segmental slots insaid' ears whereby they are guided to wall lug engaging position, andliner holder fingers mounted on said frame to project upwardly on'theinner side thereof.

'7. A packing device comprising an annular frame member having aninwardly projecting flange, a concaved bottom floatingly mounted abovesaid flange and having toothed receptacle handle keepers'projecting fromsaid frame, said bottom having lugs spaced therefrom and projectingbelow said flange for limitingthe floating movement of the bottomrelative to the frame, adjustable rests for said bottom, a facingdiaphragm secured at its periphery to said bottom, said bottom having acentral opening therein, a plate secured to said bottom and adapted toseat within said opening, a'pairof opposed links pivotally mounted onsaid plate, said bottom having lugs with which said links are slidablyand pivotally engaged, and springs arrangedon said links and coactingtherewith to provide a toggle acting to hold the diaphragm in itserected crowned position and also in its collapsed position.

8. A packing device comprising an annular frame member having .aninwardly projecting flange, a concaved bottom floatingly mounted abovesaid flange and having toothed receptacle handle keepers projecting fromsaid frame, said bottom having lugs spaced therefrom and projectingbelowfsaid fiange' for limiting the floating movement of the bottomrelative to the frame, and adjustable rests for said bottom.

9. 'A' packing device comprising an annular frame member, a concavedbottom having a central opening therein, a facing diaphragm secured atits periphery to said bottom, a plate secured to said bottom and adaptedto; seat within said'opening, a pair of opposed links pivotally mountedon saidplate, said bottom having lugs with which said links-arevslidably and pivotally engaged, and springs arranged on said links andcoacting therewith to provide a toggle acting to hold the diaphragm inits erected crowned position and also in its collapsed position.

10. A packing device comprising a frame member, a concaved bottom, afacing diaphragm secured at its periphery to said bottom, a pair ofopposed links pivotally connected to saiddiaphragm, said bottom havinglugs with which said 1 links are slidably and pivotally engaged, andsprings arranged on said links and coacting therewith to provide atoggle acting tohold the dia phragm in its erectedcrowned position andalso in its collapsed position.

11. In a'packing device, the combination of an annular frame, a bottomfioatingly mounted on said frame and having receptacle handle engagingmembers on the outside of said frame, adjustable rests for said bottom,removable segmental wall members, and handles pivotally mounted on saidframe and provided with latches for detachably securing said wallmembers in assembled relation on the frame.

12. In a packing device, the combination of an annular frame, a bottomhaving receptacle handle engaging members on the outside of said frame,removable segmental wall members, and handles pivotally mounted on saidframe and provided with latches for detachably securing said wellmembers in assembled relation on theframe.

13. In a packing device, the combination of an annular frame, a bottomhaving receptacle handie engaging members on the outside of said frame,a facing diaphragm secured at its periphery to the periphery of saidbottom, spring means acting to hold said diaphragm in crowned positionor in collapsed position, removable segmental wall members, and handlespivotally mounted on said frame and provided with latches for detachablysecuring said wall members in assembled relation on the frame.

14. In a packing device, the combination of a frame providedwith'opposed handles, segmental wall members detachably secured to saidframe, a concaved bottom, a facing diaphragm operatively associated withsaid bottom, and means for holding said diaphragm in crowned positionand permitting the collapsing thereof, said bottom having receptaclehandle engaging means.

15. In a packing device, the combination of a frame provided withopposed handles, segmental wall members detachably secured to saidframe,

and a concaved bottom.

16. In a packing device, the combination of a frame provided withopposed handles, segmental wall members detachably secured to saidframe, a concaved bottom fioatingly mounted on said frame, andadjustable rests for said bottom.

17. In a packing device, the combination of a frame, Wall members, aconcaved bottom floatingly mounted on said frame, adjustable rests forsaid bottom, a facing diaphragm operatively associated with said bottom,and spring means for hold said diaphragm in crowned position andpermitting the collapsing thereof.

18. In a packing device, the combination of a frame, wall members, aconcaved bottom, a facing diaphragm operatively associated with saidbottom, and spring means for holding said dia phragm in crowned positionand permitting the collapsing thereof, said spring means also acting tohold said diaphragm in collapsed position.

19. In a packing device, the combination of a frame having opposed ears,said ears having segmental slots therein, a bottom carried by saidframe, segmental side wall members having notched lugs positioned at thesides of said ears when the side wall members are in assembled relationto the frame, handles pivotally mounted on said ears, and latchespivotally mounted on said handles and provided with pins adapted toengage said lugs on said wall members, said ears having segmental slotsthrough which said pins are disposed whereby the latches are guided tolug engaging position.

20. In a packing device; the combination of a frame having opposed ears,a bottom carried by said frame, segmental side wall members havingnotched lugs positioned at the sides of said ears when the side Wallmembers are in assembled relation to the frame, handles pivotallymounted on said ears, and latches pivotally mounted on said handles andprovided with pins adapted to engage said lugs on said wall members,said ears I having segmental slots through which said pins are disposed.whereby the latches are guided to lug engaging position.

21. In a packing device, the combination of an annular frame, a bottomfloatingly mounted on said frame, liner holder fingers mounted on saidframe, wall members, handles pivotally mounted on said frame andprovided with side wall engaging members, means actuated by said handlesfor securing said wall members to said frame, and means for detachablysecuring a receptacle to said bottom.

22. In 'a packing device, the combination of an annular frame, a bottomfloatingly mounted on said frame, wall members, liner holder fingersmounted on said frame, handles pivotally mounted on said frame andprovided with side wall engaging members, and means actuated by saidhandles for securing said wall members to said frame.

23.'In a packing device, the combination of an annular frame, a bottomfloatingly mounted on said frame, liner holder fingers mounted on saidframe, segmental wall members, handles pivotally mountedon said frameand provided with side wall engaging members, and means actuated by saidhandles for securing said Wall members to said frame.

24. In a packing device, the combination of a frame, a bottom floatinglymounted on said frame, segmental wall members, means for detachablysecuring said wall members to said framaand means for detachablysecuring a receptacle to said'bottom.

25. In a packing device, the combination of a frame, a bottom, segmentalwall members, and means for detachably securing said wall members tosaid frame.

26. In a'packing device, the combination of a frame, a bottom, linerholder fingers mounted on said frame, segmental wall members, and meansfor detachably securing said wall members to said frame.

27. In a packing device, the combination of a frame provided withopposed handles, a bottom, receptacle engaging members carried by saidframe, a facing diaphragm secured at its peripheryto said bottom, meansfor holding said diaphragm in crowned position, and segmental wallmembers detachably secured to said frame. 28. In a packing device, thecombination of a frame provided with opposed handles, a bottom,receptacle engaging members carried by said frame, and segmental Wallmembers detachably secured to said frame.

29. In a packing device, the combination of a frame, a bottom carried bysaid frame, a facing diaphragm secured at its periphery to said bottom,and segmental wall members detachably and independently secured to saidframe whereby said wall members may be released to permit theirindependent withdrawal from a receptacle.

30. In a packing device, the combination of a frame provided withopposed handles, a bottom, and segmental wall members detachably securedto said frame by manipulation of said handles.

DWIGHT W. WADSWORTH. WILLIAM A. BRECKON.

